MG and caring for pets

[MG Community Member]

I had a cat up until last year when I had to move out of my home to live with family who doesn’t want pets in the home. I miss my cat dearly. I had him for years before diagnoses, and throughout my changing symptoms. In addition to providing comfort and emotional support, he made himself a Medical Support cat!

At the end of 2022, beginning of 2023, I didn’t know that I was headed towards a Myasthenic Crisis. Anytime my breathing got bad at night, he would wake me up with an insistent meow and a very concerned expression on his face. (My respiratory therapist did a poor job of setting me up with my Trilogy device and I hadn’t been able to take advantage of it.) It took me a couple of months to find out exactly what he was trying to tell me, but once I learned his special meow alert, which sounds different from his typical meows, I knew I wasn’t breathing well. For me, the weakness leading to breathing issues tends to creep up on me to the extent that I don’t recognize that it’s worsening.

He also will give me the meow if I’m exacerbating my breathing by walking around, basically telling me to get back in bed.

I truly believe he saved my life. So, Yes! He’s definitely worth the effort, even on the worst of my days.

As far as accommodations, an occupational therapist gave me one regarding changing the litter. I wish I could afford those crazy expensive self-cleaning litter boxes, but I can’t. He suggested placing the litter box in a location that would allow me to sit while scooping his litter. This suggestion was a huge help! I ended up putting one of those collapsable stepping stools next to the litter box.

My cat is pretty awesome! I hope that when I get my own place, I’ll be able to get him again. (He’s currently with my ex who may want to keep our cat.) If not, I will definitely be in the market for another.

Another sweet thing my kitty did, when I was too weak to pet him, he learned to self-pet himself by rubbing against my limp hand. Best cat ever!

[MG Community Member]

Thank you for sharing this, what a deeply touching bond you had with him. Animals can be unbelievably intuitive. I hope you can someday be reunited with him, or that another loving companion finds its way into your life when the time is right.

About the litter boxes, I delayed getting one for a long time because of the cost. My aunt recently tried a less expensive brand that worked well for her, so I decided to buy one. I wish I had done it sooner, as it has made a big physical difference for me. The brand is PetPivot, and I purchased it on sale for $130. It’s still not cheap, but it’s a better option than the more expensive viral ones.

[MG Community Member]

Wow! That is so much better than what was available just a few years ago! Thanks for the tip!

[MG Community Member]

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[MG Community Member]

Hi all,

Pets are amazing creatures. Dogs are my weakness, and have had a few over time. But unfortunately we lost our eldest boy Tyson to kidney disease Wednesday. It is just a month short on is 14th b’day. We have had him for 10 years. He had been handed in due to the owner having to move to the city from the country. She passed him onto a friend to find him new human parents. A lady got in before us and took him. A week or so later we have the woman that was find him a new home give us a call. He had escaped and picked up by the rangers, but she was refusing to take any calls. She wanted to know if we were still interested in take. Down we headed down to the pound to “break him out” that is pay fees to get him out of jail, and all the other charges, but we were happy to pay. As they opened the gate to his pen, he bolted straight away into my arms. He had taken ownership of me.. lol

Sorry for the above, this is the first time since his passing that I have been able to think like this.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Brad.

[MG Community Member]

Hi Brad, thank you for sharing that story about Tyson. The way he ran straight into your arms the day you brought him home says so much about the bond you built together. It sounds like he found exactly who he was destined to spend his life with.

Losing a pet who has been such a steady part of your days leaves a huge void behind. Tyson had many years when he was loved and cared for, and that must feel good to know you gave him the best life.

I’m really glad you shared this with the community. If you feel up to it, what was Tyson like day to day? Was he more of a laid-back companion or did he have a bit of mischief in him?

[MG Community Member]

I live alone. I have Myasthenia Gravis! I am working on getting me a small dog. The attachment to an animal brings comfort and support. With my MG muscle issues I can only handle something small. I use to visit Puppy Station in Marietta, Ga and do puppy I could use it with my wheelchair! support for my attachment issues from abandonment and support!

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[MG Community Member]

Hi Tonya, thank you for sharing this. The comfort and companionship animals can bring is something many people benefit from. Wanting a small dog that fits your strength and mobility needs is a thoughtful way to ensure the relationship works well for both of you.

It’s nice that you’ve spent time visiting puppies and thinking about what kind of companion would fit best with your life. I hope the right little dog finds its way to you soon.

[MG Community Member]

• In reply to the posts on pets, I just lost my little Maltese mix at 14 years old to cancer of the spleen. I got her from a shelter and she became my best friend. It has been 5 months since she died and I still miss her so much. I have had MG for 10 years and she added so much joy to my life in the 5 years I was blessed with her. Because she was 9 when I got her, she was house trained and really no trouble, very smart. She just wanted to be my shadow. My suggestion with MG, if you get a small dog who is an adult, or better yet a senior, they are not as demanding as a young pet. Plus, you need to make sure if, God forbid, something happens to you, that there is someone willing to take care of her because she/he will miss you so much. I suggest you look on Petfinder.com. They have all kinds of dogs and I am surprised that they have so many Maltese. She did make me very happy. Best to all.

[MG Community Member]

Judy, thank you for sharing about her. I am so sorry for your loss. The way you describe her wanting to be your shadow warms my heart. Dogs have a special way of becoming part of our daily beat, especially during years when we’re navigating things like MG.

Your suggestion to consider an adult or senior dog is also a really thoughtful perspective for people thinking about getting a pet while managing MG.

I’m glad you shared her story with the community. She sounds like a very special little companion. 🫶

[MG Community Member]

My wife and I have a two-year old rottweiler, four indoor cats, and caring for three outdoor feral cats.

I am in the process of training my rottie to be an MG service dog…providing bracing should i need help getting up from the floor, and to pick up dropped items (such as keys). She has earned her CGC award (Canine Good Citizen) and in her training sometimes accompanies me to stores, bank, farmers market, restaurant, etc.

As a service dog, Savannah Faith (rottie) can be a conversation starter in MG awareness, even with strangers.

Beyond that, i find their care to be helpful for me in keeping me active. E.g. I likelybwouldn’t walk as much without having a dog. At times (e.g. feeding) they can be motivational in forcing me to power thru to provide their care!

My wife works outside the home, so I am by myself most days and the animals all provide important companionship.

My previous rottie was a service dog (diabetes alert) prior to MG, but was also a therapy dog visiting children, families and staff in the local Children’s Hospital, as well as various schools and businesses. The therapy work and taking her everywhere was one of my greatest joys. With MG, i am unsure about pursuing the therapy volunteering.

[MG Community Member]

Thank you for sharing this. It sounds like the animals in your life bring a lot of companionship and purpose to your days. It’s nice that having a dog encourages you to get out and move more. Bringing comfort to children and families in the hospital must have been a powerful experience.

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[MG Community Member]

I have seven pets. One dog and six indoor cats. I had ten at one point but several crossed over in the intervening years. I lost most recent 10.22.24, and I’m still devastated. She was my baby I found under an suv at Walmart. She was 16. 😢

I find that my pets give me purpose. I get up for them, I feed them, take the dog out, and they keep me company. I wouldn’t know how to be without them.

One of the boys is my super attached “boyfren” as a friend calls him. We bonded hard when he was little. His sister is needy and attached at my hip as well.

They are there when I need a supportive cuddle, and I really feel like they are all my emotional support animals.

My husband helps with them. He dumps and fills the litter boxes, gets their food ready sometimes, and one of them just loves him so much.

I guess you could say we tag team them. He goes to the vet with me most of the time.

One thing I struggle with is worry. About the fact that we are down one income, and tight on funds. God forbid something happens, we’d be in trouble. Aside from MG, the visual disorder, and fibromyalgia, it’s hard to figure out what I can do. Bi used to have my own pet sitting business but had to give it up. I need to find something that will be easy to fit into and make some money aside from SSDI. That is my biggest challenge – money. I put my kiddos first, so if it were feed them vs myself, they are on top no matter what. We haven’t gotten to a really bad point, and I worry, all the cats are seniors now.

See, ask about my babies and I can just go on and on and on…

Attached is Sam. She is part husky, and her personality is 100% husky. Drama. Lol

[MG Community Member]

What a cute baby 🥹 Thank you for sharing about your pets and the role they play in your life. Having those routines and those little personalities around you can make a big difference in the day-to-day. The bond you described with the one you found under the SUV sounds incredibly special, and it makes sense that the loss still feels heavy. It sounds like you and your husband work together closely to take care of them, and that kind of teamwork can mean a lot when things feel uncertain. Sending good vibes!